15 NDFB-S militants declared 'most wanted'

GUWAHATI: Immediately after Assam Police decided to launch a joint operation against militants of NDFB's Songbijit faction, the police headquarters declared 15 members of the outfit, including its chief Songbijit Ingti Kathar (IK Songbijit), as 'most wanted'. Cash rewards have also been announced against their names.

Assam Police said valuable information leading to the arrest of these 15 NDFB(S) militants will be worth Rs 95 lakh.

In the last 100 hours, NDFB(S) militants have gunned down at least eight people in several areas under the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD). Chief minister Tarun Gogoi has already asked for a joint operation by all the forces under the unified commando structure in the state.

"A cash award of Rs 10 lakh has been announced against the chairman of the faction, IK Songbijit. Besides, anyone giving valuable information against the outfit's general secretary B Saoraigwra, publicity and military secretary C Rwikha and the faction's spokesperson, Ranjit Basumatary, will also be awarded in the same manner. Anyone, who will help police in arresting these militants alive or in any condition, will be awarded and their names will be kept secret," said IGP (law and order) SN Singh on Monday.

Out of the 15 NDFB (S) militants listed, its chief, IK Songbijit, was listed as a 'Karbi' and Govinda as 'Rabha' youths. The others were listed as 'Bodos'.

Meanwhile, during an operation in the jungles near Dimajuli village in the Assam-Bhutan bordering areas in Chirang district, security forces exchanged fire with a group of NDFB(S) militants. Though security forces could not arrest or kill any of these militants, they believe that one of the militants was hit.

"We have nabbed two linkmen and one sympathizer on Monday and recovered some extortion letters and incriminating documents too," said an officer of Chirang Police. Newly appointed Assam Police chief Khagen Sarma is likely to visit the BTAD area on Tuesday.

On the other hand, in an email, NDFB(S) said the outfit's actions were a result of age-old atrocities and harassment of Bodos by security forces.